All That You Need To Know About Gerber Daisy

The colors of Gerber Daisy are so vibrant that it is easy to be fooled into thinking that they are not actual flowers. Gerbera jamesonii, which is native to South Africa, is a member of the Aster family, which also includes sunflowers. The modern Gerbera daisy is the product of breeding procedures known as hybridization.

Gerber Daisy is sensitive perennials that may be grown in most sections of the United States. They bloom year after year. These plants are classified as annuals because they cannot survive the winter in their natural environments. The average time to plant them is in the spring after there is no longer any danger of frost. Gerber Daisy is able to be started from seed and cultivated outside in garden beds and containers. They will take between 14 and 18 weeks to produce their initial blossoms, and then they will continue to bloom all through the summer after that. Their rate of the establishment will be moderate.

These daisies feature huge flower heads that are composed of ray-like petals that surround a central disc that is covered in teeny, green, or black blossoms. There are four distinct categories of Gerbera daisies, which are referred to as single flower, semi-double flower, double flower, and spider flower, respectively. Each category specifies the number of petals, their position, and the kind of petals that they have. The plant's leaves are often serrated and either lobed or pinnate in structure.

Fun Fact

Gerbera daisies were named after Traugott Gerber, a naturalist who lived in the 1700s. They are also called African daisies, Barberton daisies, Transvaal daisies, and Veldt daisies. Gerbera daisies are known to convey happiness, beauty, and a positive attitude.

• Common Name

 Gerbera daisy, Transvaal daisy

• Botanical Name 

Gerbera jamesonii

• Family

 Asteraceae

• Type of Plant

 Herbaceous, Perennial Plant

• Mature Size 

10–18 in. height, 9–12 in. wide

• Sun Exposure

Full, partial

• Type of Soil 

Moist, with Good Drainage

• Soil pH

Neutral, acidic

• Bloom Time 

Summer, fall

• Shades

Red, yellow, orange, pink, and white

• Hardiness Zones 

8–10 (USDA)

• Originating Region 

Africa

Gerbera Daisy Care

Gerbera daisies are commonly available for purchase as "starts," or young plants that are ready to be transplanted into a garden. Still, the majority of gerbera daisy cultivars are very simple to cultivate from seed. However, because of the length of time required for their development from seed, this strategy is only viable in regions with milder weather, in which it is possible to care for the blooms throughout the majority of the year.

In the event that the proper conditions for plant growth are met, gerbera will flourish. To draw attention to the vivid hues of your Gerbera daisies, group them with plants that have yellow foliage, such as the short grasses of Hakonechloa macra. The sunset tones of Gerbera daisies are also brought out by tiny or spikey blue blossoms, such as those seen on sage and lobelia. To keep Gerbera daisies blooming and attractive, deadhead wasted blooms. If you find that your plant is becoming overly bushy, you can prune away some of the leaves that are clumped together in the center to make room for additional light. You may always just plant Gerbera daisies by themselves; they are able to easily fill up a pot or a patch and make a bright statement.

When your Gerbera daisies have fully opened their petals, but the center is still closed, it is time to harvest them. The stems are able to absorb any amount of water that is provided to them. However, providing an excessive amount of water may cause their display duration to be reduced. Place them in water that is one inch deep, and add extra water as required. Make a new cut at an angle if you notice that the base of the stem is beginning to turn brown.

Concerning Light

Gerbera daisies are most successful when grown in full light, although they cannot tolerate high temperatures. If you reside in an area that has extremely hot summers (or afternoons, for that matter), you should attempt to plant your Gerbera daisies in an area that has shade in the afternoon. You should also avoid planting flowers close to a structure, such as a foundation or stone wall, that reflects heat onto the plant, and this can be harmful to the plant's growth.

Regarding Soil

Begin planting your Gerbera daisy bed with nutrient-dense, organically-rich soil that also has good drainage. Gerbera daisies prefer soil with a pH level that falls somewhere between 5.5 and 6.5. Levels of pH that are higher than this can cause chlorosis, which appears as yellow stripes on the leaves of the plant. Additionally, if the pH level is too low, the leaves may develop black spots or patches due to the condition.

Regarding Water

Gerbera daisies need regular watering, roughly 1 inch each week. Do not ever water until the top two inches of soil have dried out completely before doing so. When they are first establishing established in your landscape and during periods of extreme heat and dryness, these flowers may also require more frequent watering. Be careful not to overwater this plant throughout the winter, as daisies that have overwintered go dormant and only require a sprinkling of water once a month while they are in this phase.

Temperature As Well As Relative Humidity

Gerbera daisies thrive in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11, but they require winter protection in zone 8, where the majority of gardeners cultivate Gerbera daisies as annuals in pots. Gerbera daisies grow best when grown in full sun, and the blooms thrive best in wintertime temperatures ranging from around 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit (cool, but not freezing). Gerbera daisy plants do not have any specific requirements for their surrounding humidity.

Concerning Fertilizers

How much fertilizer your Gerbera daisies require is directly proportional to the health of the soil in which they are grown. To ensure that the flowers continue to bloom throughout the summer, it is recommended that a water-soluble fertilizer be applied on a monthly basis. Please refer to the instructions on the product label for the appropriate dosage. In a similar vein, you might consider substituting the addition of organic compost around the plant's roots on a monthly basis.

Types Of Gerbera Daisies

• "Terracotta" is a double-type Gerbera daisy bloom that has double yellow petals with a tinge of peach surrounding its dark crimson eye. The flower's name comes from the Spanish word for “terracotta.”
• The crested double Gerbera daisy is known as the "Winter Queen," which has white petals and a central disc or eye that is black in color.
• "Giant Spinner" is the name given to a full-crested, double Gerbera daisy flower that has two rows of outer petals and two rows of inner petals; the first row of inner petals surrounds and covers the disc that is located in the center of the flower.

Pruning

The length of the blooming period can be extended by deadheading. When the blooms on your gerbera wilt or fade and the petals on the flower head are about to come off, deadhead the flowers or cut the flower stalks to the point where the leaves appear. Stop the plant from producing seeds by preventing their development. To maintain the neat appearance of your gerbera and to stimulate the growth of new leaves, pinch or trim any leaves that appear worn out or older.

Propagating Gerbera Daisies

Gerbera daisies can be grown from seed, division, or cuttings, and the ideal time of year to do so is either the spring or the summer. When mature plants are divided, it not only helps to keep them vigorous but also helps to maintain air circulation around the plant and encourages flowering. How to do it?

To Divide:

• In the early spring, you should divide the plant using a sterilized sharp knife or pruning snips, new soil, and a new pot that is clean and has a drainage hole.
• Remove the flower from the medium in which it was growing. Using the knife or the snips, make a cut through the roots to divide the root ball into two equal sections.
• Replant each piece in its permanent site, making sure to use soil that is comparable in composition to the existing soil there.
• Be sure to fully water each division.

To Produce New Plants By Means Of Cuttings:

• When the weather is warm, the greatest time to cut is in the summer. To propagate the plant, take cuttings from the base of the plant or from the side shoots using sterilized pruning shears. You are going to need a new container and new potting soil, and the rooting hormone is completely optional.
• To increase the percentage of successful cuttings, dip the cut end of the cutting in the rooting hormone. This will assist the cuttings in more rapidly developing a root system.
• You should plant the cuttings in new soil that has good drainage, and the cuttings should be watered when the substrate feels dry to the touch.

The Gerbera Daisy From Its Seed, Growing Instructions

If you want to grow Gerbera daisies from seed, you should start the seeds inside roughly 12 to 18 weeks before the date that your region typically has its final frost. Because the roots of Gerbera daisies do not like it when they are transplanted, it is a good idea to sow the seeds in peat or paper pots. Instead of burying the seeds beneath the soil mixture, you should instead press them lightly onto the surface of the mixture. Seeds require light in order to germinate correctly.

Your soil and any exposed seeds will benefit from being kept moist if you cover the container or pots you are using with plastic wrap or a lid. The seeds need to be placed in a warm, sunny location (the ideal temperature range is between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit), and then the germination process should take between two and four weeks.

Once there is no longer any risk of frost, you can move your seedlings outside to their permanent locations. Pick a location that has adequate drainage and exposure to light, and then put the seedlings in the ground at a depth of about half an inch so that the crown is just above the soil line.

Potting And Repotting Gerbera Daisies

When the roots begin to overwhelm the pot, gerberas should be repotted every one to two years in the spring before new growth begins. This is especially important when the roots have been established. Choose a container that is one size up from the one you already have and has at least one substantial drainage hole.

To remove the daisy, turn the pot upside down while supporting the root ball in your palm and pull it out. Remove any excess soil with a brush, cut away any roots that have turned brown or are infected, and then lay the root ball on top of a bed that has about 3 inches of new soil and fill in around the sides. It is recommended that the root ball be placed approximately one inch below the rim of the new container. Pour water into the holes in the drainage system until it flows out.

Overwintering

If you live in a zone that is warmer, such as zone 7 to 10, you should prune your gerbera plants so that they are no taller than an inch before a frost. They are able to survive the winter outside, provided that they are sheltered by mulch to a depth of between three and four inches. After you have pruned your gerberas, dig them up, report them, and then transport them to a room that is well-lit and kept between 45 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit for the winter if you live in a zone cooler than 6.

Pests And Diseases That Are Commonly Seen On Plants

The leaves of the gerbera daisy are a favorite food source for aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, and thrips. They are drawn to plants that are under stress, so ensure that your plants are in good health and check on them frequently for any indications of problems. Small populations can be eradicated with a powerful spray of water, while you can manage larger populations with insecticidal soap or natural horticultural oils such as neem.

The leaves of your Gerbera daisy blossoms are also susceptible to being infested by leafminers. Take off any leaves that are damaged or showing signs of tunneling and dispose of them. When the plants' soil is wet, they are more susceptible to diseases such as powdery mildew, crown rot, and root rot. You may prevent problems like these by letting the soil become dry in between waterings, but you shouldn't let the flowers go so long without being watered that they wilt and become stressed out.

How To Achieve Flowering With Gerbera Daisies?

Gerbera daisies, like many other types of flowers that bloom more than once, benefit greatly from being pruned and having their spent flowers removed. In general, daisies last for several weeks, and if you deadhead them, they will flower for an even longer period of time. In optimal conditions, the plant's lifespan might range anywhere from two to three years. Keep the plant in good condition during the growing season by doing routine maintenance tasks such as pruning away sick or rotten leaves and spent flowers. It's common for the heat of summer to bring an early end to the blooming of gerberas; if you want the flowers to last longer, consider bringing them inside once they bloom.

Due to the fact that most gardeners grow Gerber Daisy for their cut flower gardens, the maintenance issue of trimming is typically not a concern for them. In either case, as soon as you see that a flower stem is dying off, you should clip it back to the point where it intersects with the leaves. This is because you want to remove the dying bud before it is encouraged to produce seeds. Cut down your Gerbera daisy plants to a height that is approximately one inch above the earth before the first frost that is forecasted for your region.

In order to get good blossoming, fertilizer is another vital component. The specific amount of fertilizer your Gerbera daisy plants require will vary depending on the quality of your soil; nonetheless, you should feed them every two weeks with a mixture that is rich in phosphorus and contains a little amount of nitrogen.

The Most Frequent Issues

If the appropriate amounts of water, light, and soil are provided for them, Gerber Daisy can be grown successfully in the open air. On the other hand, they are vulnerable to the effects of some fungi.

The Leaves And Flowers Both Have A Plush, Velvety Coating

The spores of Botrytis cinerea, also known as Botrytis blight, cause a velvety coating to develop on diseased flower tissue and leaf tissue. This fungal grey mold is caused by Botrytis blight. Pockmarks or brown spots on the leaf stalk and tan patches on the flower petals are two further indicators that you have grey mold.

If you do not take any action to treat the Gerbera daisy plant, the lower stems will wilt and die, and a grey growth will form on the entire plant. To stop it from happening, make sure there is adequate air circulation around the plant during times of excessive humidity and water the soil rather than the flowers and leaves. You must treat it by cutting off all of the diseased sections of the plant. Use a fungicide that is available for purchase to stop its further spread. It is important to read the label to ensure that it can be used to treat botrytis.

Yellowing Of The Lower Leaves

The yellowing of plant tissue that occurs between green veins is referred to as interveinal chlorosis and manifests itself as the yellowing of lower leaves of plants. In most cases, it is brought on by a lack of iron, and flower output can be negatively impacted by this illness as well.

It is possible to have a deficiency if there is not enough iron in the soil or fertilizer or if the pH of the soil is higher than 6.2. It is more difficult for plants to absorb nutrients when the temperature is lower than 68 degrees Fahrenheit, and it is also more difficult for plants to do so when the soil is too damp. If the roots of a plant are diseased or injured in any way, the plant will not be able to absorb nutrients as effectively. In order to address this issue, it will be necessary to check the temperatures, moisture levels, and pH levels of the soil. Make the necessary adjustments, such as acidifying the soil, adding iron chelates to the soil, or ensuring that the soil is not overwatered. Also, make sure the plant's roots are in good shape.

Failure To Develop Properly Or Sudden Withering

The symptoms of the crown or root rot typically include reduced growth, decreased flower production, and wilting of the leaves and stems. In most casesof Gerber Daisy, the responsible fungus is called Phytophthora crypto gear. The root of the plant seems to be rotten, brown, or even black. If nothing is done to save it, the entire plant will perish. It may be possible to lessen the severity of the disease by increasing the amount of copper, which is a nutrient in the fertilizer. To avoid this problem, you should avoid overwatering and watering from above.